Wins of restricted credits in a gaming machine

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a gaming system and method designed or configured to provide wins of restricted credits. Restricted credits may be awarded according to the same or a different pay table than cashable credits on the same machine or at the same gaming property. Where separate pay tables are used for restricted and cashable credits, the invention may be implemented with a machine that accepts and pays only restricted credit according to a single, fixed internal payout schedule (“pay table”). Alternatively, the invention may be implemented with a machine that pays restricted credit according to one fixed internal pay table and cashable credit according to another fixed internal pay table. Or, a machine may pay restricted credit according to an external pay table provided by a host system to which the machine is connected.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

The present application claims priority under U.S.C. 120 and is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/082,911, titled“Wins of Restricted Credits in a Gaming Machine” filed on Feb. 25, 2002,now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,063,617 which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety and for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to game playing services for gaming machines suchas slot machines and video poker machines. More particularly, thepresent invention relates to systems and methods enabling able wins ofrestricted credit on gaming machines.

There are a wide variety of associated devices that can be connected toa gaming machine such as a slot machine or video poker machine. Someexamples of these devices are lights, ticket printers, card readers,speakers, bill validators, ticket readers, coin acceptors, displaypanels, key pads, coin hoppers and button pads. Many of these devicesare built into the gaming machine or components associated with thegaming machine such as a top box which usually sits on top of the gamingmachine.

Typically, utilizing a master gaming controller, the gaming machinecontrols various combinations of devices that allow a player to play agame on the gaming machine and also encourage game play on the gamingmachine. For example, a game played on a gaming machine usually requiresa player to input money or indicia of credit into the gaming machine,indicate a wager amount, and initiate a game play. These steps requirethe gaming machine to control input devices, including bill validatorsand coin acceptors, to accept money into the gaming machine andrecognize user inputs from devices, including key pads and button pads,to determine the wager amount and initiate game play. After game playhas been initiated, the gaming machine determines a game outcome,presents the game outcome to the player and may dispense an award ofsome type depending on the outcome of the game.

As technology in the gaming industry progresses, the traditional methodof dispensing coins or tokens as awards for winning game outcomes isbeing supplemented by ticket dispensers which print ticket vouchers thatmay be exchanged for cash or accepted as credit of indicia in othergaming machines for additional game play. An award ticket system, whichallows award ticket vouchers to be dispensed and utilized by othergaming machines, increases the operational efficiency of maintaining agaming machine and simplifies the player pay out process. An example ofan award ticket system is the EZ PAY ticket system by International GameTechnology of Reno, Nev. Award ticket systems and systems using othercashless mediums are referred to as cashless systems.

Cashless systems, such as the EZ PAY ticket system, provide advantagesto both game players and casino operators. For example, many playersfind it more convenient to carry an award ticket than a large number ofcoins. For gaming machine operators cashless systems tend to reducegaming machine operating costs. For example, the infrastructure neededto remove and count indicia of credit (e.g. coins, tokens, bills) fromthe gaming machine may be eliminated or minimized when it is replacedwith a cashless system, which reduces the gaming machine operatingcosts. Further, coin dust, which is potentially damaging to thecomponents of the gaming machine (e.g. electronic components) may beeliminated or minimized when coin acceptors are replaced with thecashless system. Currently, cashless systems have become very popularand have been embraced by customers. For example, ticket vouchers thatare generated upon cash-out and redeemed for cash or gaming machinecredits within a particular casino are well accepted by game players.

Many gaming systems support player credits more than one type.“Cashable” credits are redeemable for cash for the full face value ofthe cashless gaming instrument (e.g., ticket or voucher). “Restricted”credits are not directly redeemable for cash for the full face value ofthe cashless gaming instrument. Restricted credits may be, for example,non-cashable, that is, not redeemable for cash, but only playable on agaming machine that supports the cashless system in which the instrument(voucher) was issued. Other examples of restricted credits are creditsthat are redeemable for prizes, or for cash at a discount from theinstrument's face value. Restricted credit vouchers are sometimes issuedto players in a casino as an incentive to further play, for example.Currently, restricted credit is only available via electronic fundstransfer (EFT) or as promotional vouchers and gaming machines have afixed payout schedule (pay table) that generates cashable credits fromwinning game play.

Thus, as players play a gaming machine, they win cash, cashable creditsor prizes based on a fixed payout schedule. Players may typicallycollect their credits won as cash at any time between games. Some hostsystems to which gaming machines are connected are capable of givingplayers restricted credits on a gaming machine via an electronic fundstransfer (EFT). Also, as noted above, a casino operator may manuallyissue restricted credit vouchers (commonly known as promotional credits)to a player. Typically, these non-cashable restricted credits thatplayers must play on compatible gaming machines and cannot collect ascash. As players wager this type of credit, the gaming machine typicallyawards cashable credits for wins.

In some cases, a machine may issue free games or plays, however, suchfree games are not credits and are limited to play on the issuingmachine during the current playing session.

It would be desirable to expand the options available for the use ofrestricted credit in a gaming system to enhance the gaming experiencefor players and facilitate operations for gaming machine operators.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention addresses the needs indicated above by providing a gamingmachine, system and method designed or configured to provide wins ofrestricted credits. Restricted credits may be awarded according to thesame or a different pay table than cashable credits on the same machineor at the same gaming property. Where separate pay tables are used forrestricted and cashable credits, the invention may be implemented with amachine that accepts and pays only restricted credits according to asingle, fixed internal payout schedule (“pay table”). Alternatively, theinvention may be implemented with a machine that pays restricted creditsaccording to one fixed internal pay table and cashable credit accordingto another fixed internal pay table. Or, a machine may pay restrictedcredit according to an external pay table provided by a host system towhich the machine is connected. Mixed credit wins (wins of combinationsof credit types (e.g., restricted and cashable) may also be provided.

Among the advantages of the invention are that it allows for restrictedcredit winnings that can be recorded on a voucher and played on anymachine accepting the restricted credit vouchers at any time. Inaddition, pay schedules that can return a higher percentage to theplayer are possible, thereby encouraging further play, withoutincreasing the financial liability for the game machine operator.Further, the gaming machine may be designed or configured to account fordifferent credit internally, externally, or combinations thereof, sothat the invention also allows a gaming machine operator to obtain thebenefits of offering restricted credits whether or not the gamingmachine is connected to a host system (which is capable of EFT).

One aspect of the present invention provides a gaming machine. Thegaming machine includes an intelligent device designed or configured tocontrol a game play sequence comprising a presentation of one or moregames on the gaming machine, and a memory storing logic causing theintelligent device to award wins of restricted credits to a player basedon a game outcome.

Another aspect of the present invention provides, in a gaming machine, amethod of awarding wins of restricted credits. The method involvesreceiving a player wager on a game, conducting the game, and awarding awin of restricted credits based on the game outcome.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a method for increasinga player's winning percentage on a gaming machine without increasing thefinancial liability of the gaming machine owner by awarding the playerwins of restricted credits for play on the gaming machine.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention aredescribed below with reference to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of a gaming machine having a top box andother devices.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a number of gaming machines connected toservers providing associated services, such as accounting and playertracking.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the components of a cashless system usingthe EZ PAY ticket voucher system.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart depicting a method of providing wins ofrestricted credits in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to specific embodiments of theinvention. Examples of the specific embodiments are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. While the invention will be described inconjunction with these specific embodiments, it will be understood thatit is not intended to limit the invention to such specific embodiments.On the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications,and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined by the appended claims. In the followingdescription, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea thorough understanding of the present invention. The present inventionmay be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In otherinstances, well known process operations have not been described indetail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.

In this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” include plural reference unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical andscientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonlyunderstood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this inventionbelongs.

The present invention is implemented on a gaming machine. The gamingmachine may be a stand-alone device, or it may be a system of gamingmachines and/or supporting devices interconnected via a host system.Such machines and systems and their components are well known in thegaming art. FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, and the associated description thatfollows below provide pertinent details of such machines and systemssuitable for implementation of the present invention. The invention isthen described with reference to such machines and systems and a flowchart in FIG. 4.

Gaming Machines and Systems

FIG. 1 illustrates a video gaming machine 200 suitable forimplementation of the present invention. Machine 200 includes a maincabinet 204, which generally surrounds the machine interior (not shown)and is viewable by users. The main cabinet includes a main door 208 onthe front of the machine, which opens to provide access to the interiorof the machine. Attached to the main door are player-input switches orbuttons 232, a coin acceptor 228, and a bill validator 230, a coin tray238, and a belly glass 240. Viewable through the main door is a videodisplay monitor 234 and an information panel 236. The display monitor234 will typically be a cathode ray tube, high resolution flat-panelLCD, or other conventional electronically controlled video monitor. Theinformation panel 236 may be a back-lit, silk screened glass panel withlettering to indicate general game information including, for example,the number of coins played. The bill validator 230, player-inputswitches 232, video display monitor 234, and information panel aredevices used to play a game on the game machine 202. The devices arecontrolled by circuitry (not shown) housed inside the main cabinet 204of the machine 200. Many possible games, including traditional slotgames, video slot games, video poker, and video keno, may be providedwith gaming machines of this invention.

The gaming machine 200 includes a top box 206, which sits on top of themain cabinet 204. The top box 206 houses a number of devices, which maybe used to add features to a game being played on the gaming machine200, including speakers 210, 212, 214, a ticket printer 218 which mayprint bar-coded tickets 220, a key pad 222 for entering player trackinginformation, a florescent display 216 for displaying player trackinginformation, a card reader 224 for entering a magnetic striped cardcontaining player tracking information. Further, the top box 206 mayhouse different or additional devices than shown in FIG. 1. For example,the top box may contain a bonus wheel or a back-lit silk screened panelwhich may be used to add bonus features to the game being played on thegaming machine. During a game, these devices are controlled and powered,in part, by circuitry (not shown) housed within the main cabinet 204 ofthe machine 200.

Understand that gaming machine 200 is but one example from a wide rangeof gaming machine designs on which the present invention may beimplemented. For example, not all suitable gaming machines have topboxes or player tracking features. Further, some gaming machines havetwo or more game displays—mechanical and/or video. And, some gamingmachines are designed for bar tables and have displays that faceupwards. Still further, some machines may be designed entirely forcashless systems. Such machines may not include such features as billvalidators, coin acceptors and coin trays. Instead, they may have onlyticket readers, card readers and ticket dispensers. Those of skill inthe art will understand that the present invention, as described below,can be deployed on most any gaming machine now available or hereafterdeveloped.

Returning to the example of FIG. 1, when a user wishes to play thegaming machine 200, he or she inserts cash or cash tokens through thecoin acceptor 228 or bill validator 230. In addition, the player may usea cashless instrument of some type to register credits on the gamingmachine 200. For example, the bill validator 230 may accept a printedcashable, restricted (e.g., non-cashable) or combination ticket voucher,including 220, as an indicia of credit. The credits are preferably, butnot necessarily, accounted for in the lowest common denominator of thecurrency accepted by the gaming machine (e.g., pennies for US dollars).As another example, the card reader 224 may accept a debit card or asmart card containing cash or credit information that may be used toregister credits on the gaming machine. Typically, the informationcontained on the cashless instrument, including the ticket voucher,smart card or debit card, is validated by a cashless system. Thecashless instrument, including the ticket voucher, smart card or debitcard, may have been generated at the same property, for example a firstcasino where the gaming machine 200 is located or the ticket may havebeen generated at another property for example a second casino.

The cashless instrument typically contains information used to registercredits on the gaming machine, including gaming machine 200, andvalidate the registration transaction. For example, when a ticketvoucher is used as a cashless instrument, the printed ticket voucher maycontain information including: 1) a ticket value, 2) a ticket issuedate, 3) a ticket issue time, 4) a ticket transaction number, 5) amachine ID, 6) a ticket issue location, 7) a ticket owner, and 8) aticket type (e.g., cashable, restricted or combination). Informationsuch as the ticket type, ticket value, the ticket issue date, the ticketissue time, the ticket number and the machine ID may be common tocashless systems that generate and validate tickets issued at a singleproperty. However, information such as the ticket issue location and theticket owner may be needed to allow multi-site generation and validationof cashless instruments. In addition, other types of information,besides the information listed above, may be stored on the cashlessinstrument. For example, the ticket may contain information regarding apromotional prize that may be won by the player when the ticket voucheris utilized in the gaming machine 200. The promotional prize may involvemultiple properties and particular types of gaming machines and/or hostsystems.

The information on the cashless instrument may be recorded on thecashless instrument when the cashless instrument is generated. Forexample, in the case of the ticket voucher, the generation of the ticketvoucher may refer to the actual printing of the ticket voucher on paperor some other medium. A unique bar-code may be printed on the ticketvoucher which may be read with a bar-code scanner to obtain informationfrom the ticket. The ticket voucher, including 220, may be printed froma printer, including printer 218. In the case of the smart card or debitcard, the generation of the smart card or debit card refers to storingor encoding this information on the smart card or debit card. Thegeneration of the debit card or smart card may occur when the smart cardor debit card is inserted into the card reader 224 in the gaming machine200 or at another site where smart cards or debit cards are issued. Forexample, smart cards or debit cards may be generated at ATM-liketerminals, at a cashier station when a player cashes out or prepaidsmart cards or debits may be purchased within the gaming property (e.g.casino). Smart cards may distinguish between types of stored credit(e.g., cashable vs. restricted), and may carry credit information formultiple types of credit at the same time.

During the course of a game, a player may be required to make a numberof decisions, which affect the outcome of the game. For example, aplayer may vary his or her wager on a particular game, select a prizefor a particular game, or make game decisions which affect the outcomeof a particular game. The player may make these choices using theplayer-input switches 232, the video display screen 234 or using someother device which enables a player to input information into the gamingmachine. During certain game events, the gaming machine 200 may displayvisual and auditory effects that can be perceived by the player. Theseeffects add to the excitement of a game, which makes a player morelikely to continue playing. Auditory effects include various sounds thatare projected by the speakers 210, 212, 214. Visual effects includeflashing lights, strobing lights or other patterns displayed from lightson the gaming machine 200 or from lights behind the belly glass 240.

After the player has completed a game, a cashless instrument may begenerated at the gaming machine 200. The cashless instrument may be aprinted ticket voucher, a smart card, debit card or other cashlessmedium. For example, the player may decide to cashout and may receivethe ticket 220 from the printer 21, which may be used for further gamesor to redeem a cash prize where the ticket is cashable. Further, theplayer may receive a ticket 220 for food, merchandise, game services orother promotions from the printer 218 that may be used at the gamingproperty where the gaming machine is located or at other gamingproperties. The player may view cashless instrument transactioninformation on the video display screen 234 or the florescent screen216. For instance, when a player cashes out from the gaming machine, thevalue stored on the cashless instrument may be displayed using the videodisplay 234. The gaming machine may display to the player the number ofrestricted credits separately or as a sum with cashable credits.

A gaming machine in accordance with the present invention is furtherdescribed with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of anumber of gaming machines connected to servers providing associatedservices, such as accounting and player tracking. In casino 150, gamingmachines 100, 101, 102 and 103 are connected, via the data collectionunit (DCU) 106 to the player tracking/accounting server 120. The DCU106, which may be connected to up to 132 player tracking units as partof a local network in a particular example, consolidates the informationgathered from player tracking units in gaming machines 100, 101, 102 and103 and forwards the information to the player tracking/accountingserver 120. Among the functions of the player tracking/accounting serverare 1) to store player tracking account information, such as informationregarding a player's previous game play, and 2) to calculate playertracking points based on a player's game play that may be used as basisfor providing rewards to the player. Details of player tracking unitswith peripheral devices operated by a master gaming controller aredescribed in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/838,033,filed Apr. 19, 2001, by Criss-Puskiewicz, et al, titled “UniversalPlayer Tracking System,” which is incorporated herein in its entiretyand for all purposes and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/642,192, filed Aug. 18, 2000, by LeMay, et al, titled “Gaming MachineVirtual Player Tracking Services,” which is incorporated herein in itsentirety and for all purposes.

In gaming machine 100 of casino 150, an intelligent device, such as amaster gaming controller 104, controls various combinations of devicesthat allow a player to play a game on the gaming machine and alsoencourage game play on the gaming machine, etc. The present inventionmay be implemented in logic used in the design and/or configuration of agaming machine, including a master gaming controller or otherintelligent device in a gaming machine network such as a host server,CVT, etc.), to enable a gaming machine to accomplish the functionsrequired by the invention including distinguishing between and handlingdifferent credit types during cash in, play (wagering and wins) and cashout phases of a gaming session, and implementing a pay schedule todetermine restricted winnings, as described further below with referenceto FIG. 4. The logic may be stored in a memory in the gaming machine,connected with the master gaming controller 104 or other intelligentdevice.

The gaming machine 100 may display to the player the number ofrestricted credits separately or as a sum with other types of creditduring a gaming session via one or more display devices and methods. Thecredit and credit type information may be presented to the player in avariety of ways that are meaningful in relation to their wagering. Forexample, the values may be expressed as cash (in one or more currencydenominations) instead of, or in addition to, credits. In such anembodiment, the cash value of restricted credits may be displayed ashaving one value for wagering and a different value (or none at all,depending on the type of restricted credit) for cash out. Theapplication of a wager, including the credit composition of the wager,is controlled by logic of the individual machine and/or, where themachine is connected to a system, the host.

The master gaming controller 104 is connected with a main, usuallyvideo, display 108, and with the machine's other gaming devices whichare mounted within a main cabinet 118 of the gaming machine 100. Aplayer tracking unit 107 may be connected to the master gamingcontroller 104 via a slot machine interface board (SMIB) 105. Themachine 100 also includes a ticket printer 117 connected to the mastergaming controller 104 and/or the player tracking unit 107 as aperipheral device. The printer may print bar-coded tickets or vouchers,etc. A top box 119 is mounted on top of the main cabinet 118 of thegaming machine. In many types of gaming machines, the player trackingunit is mounted within the top box 119. Communication between the mastergaming controller and the machine's various gaming devices and the ahost system is via a main communication board 110.

A typical player tracking unit 107 includes a variety of player trackingdevises, such as a card reader 124, a key pad 122, and a display 116,usually fluorescent, all mounted within the unit. Of course, otherplayer tracking devices may also be used. The player tracking devicesare used to input player tracking information that is needed toimplement the player tracking program. The player tracking unit 107communicates with the player tracking server via the SMIB 105, a maincommunication board 110 and the data collection unit 106. The SMIB 103allows the player tracking unit 107 to gather information from thegaming machine 100 such as an amount a player has wagered during a gameplay session. This information may be used by the player trackingapplication(s) running on a host system including server 120 tocalculate player tracking points for the player. The player trackingunit 107 is usually connected to the master gaming controller 104 via aserial connection of some type and communicates with the master gamingcontroller 104 using a communication protocol(s) of some type. Forexample, the master gaming controller 104 may employ the Slot AccountingSystem (SAS protocol) developed by International Game Technology ofReno, Nev. to communicate with the player tracking unit 107. SAS canoperate with multiple channels to communicate with other systems such asIGT's EZ PAY servers or CVTs, etc.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the components of a cashless gaming system,such as the EZ PAY ticket voucher system (IGT, Reno, Nev.), suitable forimplementation of the present invention. A cashless system is thehardware components and software components needed to generate andvalidate cashless instruments. Components of an cashless system mayinclude 1) data acquisition hardware, 2) data storage hardware, 3)cashless instrument generation and validation hardware (e.g. printers,card readers, ticket acceptors, validation terminals, etc.), 3) auditingsoftware, 4) cashless instrument validation software and 5) databasesoftware. Many types of cashless systems are possible and are notlimited to the components listed above or embodiments such as the EZ PAYticket voucher system. Typically, a cashless system is installed at eachproperty utilizing cashless instruments. To allow multi-site validationsof cashless instruments, the cashless systems at each property may belinked to a cashless instrument transaction clearinghouse, such asdescribed in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/648,382,filed Aug. 25, 2000, by Rowe, titled “Cashless TransactionClearinghouse,” which is incorporated herein in its entirety and for allpurposes. The details of a cashless system at one property are describedbelow with reference to FIG. 3.

Returning to FIG. 3, a first group of gaming machines, 65, 66, 67, 68,and 69 is shown connected to a first clerk validation terminal (CVT) 60and a second group of gaming machines, 75, 76, 77, 78 and 79 is shownconnected to a second CVT 70. All of the gaming machines print ticketvouchers which may be exchanged for cash or accepted as credit ofindicia in other gaming machine located within the property 5. In thisexample, the ticket voucher serves as a cashless instrument. Inaddition, the gaming machines may accept ticket vouchers issued at adifferent property from property 5 where the different property utilizesa compatible cashless system.

When the CVTs are not connected to one another, a ticket voucher printedfrom one gaming machine may be only be used as indicia of credit inanother gaming machine which is in a group of gaming machines connectedto the same clerk validation terminal. For example, a ticket voucherprinted from gaming machine 65 might be used as credit of indicia ingaming machines 66, 67, 68 and 69, which are each connected to the CVT60, but not in gaming machines 75, 76, 77, 78, and 79, which are eachconnected to the CVT 70. In an analogous manner, when the cashlesssystems from one property are not connected together then a ticketvouchers generated from gaming machine 66 may be not be used at propertydifferent from property 5.

The CVTs, 60 and 70, store cashless instrument transaction informationcorresponding to the outstanding cashless instrument, including ticketvouchers, smart cards and debit cards, that are waiting for redemption.In this embodiment, the CVTs are separate from the gaming machine.However, the cashless instrument information may be also be storedwithin each gaming machine or one gaming machine may functionally act asa CVT for a group of gaming machines eliminating the separate CVThardware. In addition, cashless instrument transaction information maybe stored in a cashless server including the server 10. The cashlessinstrument transaction information may be used when the tickets arevalidated and cashed out or redeemed in some other manner. The CVTs 60and 70 may store the information for the ticket vouchers printed by thegaming machines connected to the CVT. For example, CVT 60 stores ticketvoucher information for ticket vouchers printed by gaming machines 65,66, 67, 68, and 69. When a ticket is printed out, ticket information issent to the CVT using a communication protocol of some type from thegaming machine. For example, the gaming machine may send transactioninformation to the CVT which is part of the cashless system using theslot data system manufactured by Bally's Gaming Systems (Alliance GamingCorporation, Las Vegas, Nev.) or the slot acquisition system manufactureby IGT, Reno, Nev.

In this embodiment, when a player wishes to cash out a ticket, theplayer may redeem vouchers printed from a particular gaming machine atthe CVT associated with the gaming machine or any other CVT which ispart of the cashless system associated with the CVT. For example, sinceCVT 60 and CVT 70 are connected as part of a single cashless system tothe server 10, a player may redeem vouchers or utilize vouchers at thegaming machines, the CVT's (60 or 70), the cashiers (25, 30, 35, and 40)or the wireless cashiers 58. The CVTs, cashiers, wirelss cashiers andgaming machines may be referred to as “cashless validation sites.” Tocash out the ticket voucher, the ticket voucher is validated bycomparing information obtained from the ticket with information storedwithin the CVT. After a ticket voucher has been cashed out, the CVTmarks the ticket paid in a database to prevent a ticket voucher withsimilar information from being cashed multiple times.

The topology of such cashless gaming systems may vary dramaticallydepending on implementation, but the primary functions are similar. Forexample, not all cashless systems may utilize CVTs. Many of thefunctions of the CVT may be transferred to a cashless gaming systemserver, including the server 10, eliminating the function within theCVT. For instance, the cashless instrument transaction information maybe stored in the cashless server instead of the CVT. Thus, the need tostore cashless instrument transaction information within the CVT may beeliminated.

In this embodiment of a cashless system, multiple groups of gamingmachines connected to CVTs are connected together in a cross validationnetwork 45. The cross validation network is typically comprised of oneor more concentrators 55 which accepts inputs from two or more CVTs andenables communications to and from the two or more CVTs using onecommunication line. The concentrator is connected to a front endcontroller 50 which may poll the CVTs for ticket voucher information.The front end controller is connected to a server 10 which may provide avariety of information services for the award ticket system includingaccounting 20 and administration 15.

The cross validation network allows ticket vouchers generated by anygaming machine connected to the cross validation to be accepted by othergaming machines in the cross validation network 45. Additionally, thecross validation network allows a cashier at a cashier station 25, 30,and 35 to validate any ticket voucher generated from a gaming machinewithin the cross validation network 45. To cash out a ticket voucher, aplayer may present a ticket voucher at one of the cashier stations 25,30, and 35 or to a game service representative carrying a wirelessgaming device for validating ticket vouchers. A more complete discussionof the details of the wireless gaming device 58, including hardware andutilization, are described in copending U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/544,844 entitled “A Wireless Game Environment” filed Apr. 7, 2000 byRowe the entire specification of which is incorporated herein byreference.

As tickets are validated, this information may be sent to audit servicescomputer 40 providing audit services, the accounting computer 20providing accounting services or the administration computer 15providing administration services. In another embodiment, all of theseservices may be provided by the cashless server including the EZ PAYserver 10. Examples of auditing services, which may be provided bycashless system software residing on the auditing computer 40 include 1)session reconciliation reports, 2) soft count reports, 3) soft countverification reports, 4) soft count exception reports, 5) machine ticketstatus reports and 5) security access report. Examples of accountingservices, which may be provided by cashless system software residing onthe accounting computer 20 include 1) ticket issuance reports, 2) ticketliability reports, expired ticket reports, 3) expired ticket paidreports and 4) ticket redemption reports. Examples of administrationservices, which may be provided by cashless system software residing onthe administration computer 15 include 1) manual ticket receipt, 2)manual ticket report, 3) ticket validation report, 4) interim validationreport, 5) validation window closer report, 6) voided ticket receipt and7) voided ticket report.

Restricted Wins

The present invention provides a gaming system and method enabling winsof restricted credits, supplementing current gaming systems and methodswhich generate cashable credits from winning game play. As used herein,the terms “cashable” and restricted have their current normal andaccepted meaning in the gaming industry: “Cashable” credits are directlyredeemable for cash for the full face value of the cashless gaminginstrument (e.g., ticket or voucher). “Restricted” credits haverestrictions applied and are not directly redeemable for cash for thefull face value of the cashless gaming instrument. Restricted creditsmay be, for example, non-cashable, that is, not redeemable for cash, butonly playable on a gaming machine that supports the cashless system inwhich the instrument (voucher) was issued. Such restricted credits arecommonly referred to as “promotional credits.” There are also othertypes of restricted credits, as discussed above. A “win” is an award ofcredits based on the outcome of a wagering game.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart depicting a method of providing wins ofrestricted credits in accordance with the present invention. The flowchart 400 is depicted as three loosely coupled threads, Cash In 402,Play 404, and Cash Out 406, each representing a distinct phase of agaming session. In each of these threads, credit handling is required. Aplaying session is initiated on a machine by adding playing credit tothe machine in the Cash In thread 402. In 410, credit may be added bythe player adding credits to the machine in any form accepted by themachine, for example, bills, coins or vouchers. Credit may be added viaan input mechanism designed or configured to receive player creditinstruments, and distinguish and store player credit type and amount. Inaddition, the gaming machine or system may add credits to the machinefor the player, for example, as a promotion. Thus, the invention allowsa gaming machine operator to obtain the benefits of offering restrictedcredits without the need for the gaming machine to be connected to ahost system (capable of EFT).

At 412, the type of credit added to the machine is determined. Thecredit type may be determined by the device accepting the credit. In oneembodiment, a bill validator accepting a ticket or voucher is designedor configured (e.g., through logic stored in a memory associated withthe device) to recognize a code indicating credit type printed orotherwise stored on the ticket or voucher. Other devices acceptingcredit can be designed or configured to function in this way, forexample, coin acceptors may recognize tokens with no cash value butworth restricted credits when inserted into the machine. Alternatively,a host system may provide credits to a machine via EFT, indicating thetype of credit provided. Credit types include cashable credits,restricted credits (of one or more types), and a combination of thecashable and restricted credits. At 414, 416 and 418, the added creditsare summed with any pre-existing player credits in the machine accordingto type.

The gaming machine may display to the player the number of restrictedcredits separately or as a sum with other types of credit during agaming session via one or more display devices and methods. The creditand credit type information may be presented to the player in a varietyof ways that are meaningful in relation to their wagering or cash outoptions. For example, the values may be expressed as cash (in one ormore currency denominations) instead of, or in addition to, credits. Insuch an embodiment, the cash value of restricted credits may bedisplayed as having one value for wagering and a different value (e.g.,a discount of the face value), or none at all, depending on the type ofrestricted credit, for cash out. In some embodiments, the player may bepresented with cash out options for their restricted credits thatinclude the purchase of merchandise which is displayed on the machine,or the conversion of their restricted credits to cashable credits (e.g.,at a discount of the face value).

From the Cash In thread 402, the payer has a choice of playing orcashing out. If the player chooses to play, credit handling is governedby the Play (including wagering and wins) thread 404. At 420, it isdetermined whether or not their are enough credits in the machine tostart a game. Part of starting the game is making a wager, and theplayer must have sufficient credit in the machine to cover a wager made.If not, game playing cannot begin without the addition of furthercredits or reduction of the wager to a valid amount, that it, an amountcovered by the available credits. The machine will wait until furthercredits are added or a valid amount is wagered, or the gaming session isterminated, for example, by a cash out event. It should be understoodthat a player may cash out at any point before or between games, such asby pushing a cash out button on the gaming machine.

If there are enough credits to start a game, it is determined whether ornot the player has started the game at 422. If the player has started agame, including making a wager, the wagered amount possible issubtracted from the player's credit total. In one embodiment, depictedin FIG. 4, as much of the wagered amount as possible is subtracted fromthe player's restricted credit total at 424. Any remaining wageredamount beyond that available from restricted credits is subtracted fromthe player's cashable credits at 426. Alternate, selection of credittype for wagering may also be allowed. The application of a wager,including the credit composition of the wager, is controlled by logic ofthe individual machine and/or, where the machine is connected to asystem, the host.

The game is then played and the outcome determined at 428. If the gameoutcome is a loss, the flow returns to 420 to determine if there areenough credits to start another game. If the game outcome is a win,payout schedules can specify win combinations that result in wins ofcashable credits, restricted credits or a mixture of different types ofcredits. In each case, the wins are added to the corresponding credittypes at 430, 432 and 434, and the flow returns to 420 to determine ifthere are enough credits to start another game.

In accordance with the present invention, payout schedules that resultin wins of restricted credits can be based on a variety of factorsincluding game plays and outcomes that might otherwise be losses or haveno impact on winnings. Examples of restricted credit pay schedulefactors include amount wagered, winning streaks, losing streaks, timeplayed, host system input, near misses, or any number of other methods.Once restricted credits are awarded to a player, the gaming machine willuse these wins of restricted credits towards additional wagers made bythe player. The gaming machine will not allow a player to directlyredeem restricted credits as cash. However, depending upon the type ofrestricted credits a player has, the player may redeem the credits forcash at a discount value, for example, or transfer restricted creditsfrom one machine to another via EFT (i.e., through a system cash out) orwith a printed ticket or restricted credit tokens dispensed by themachine, provided the host system connected to the gaming machinesupports this type of credit transfer.

Restricted credits may also be paid based on a game pay table whencertain conditions are met. For example, a player may be offered a bonus(e.g., each win is enhanced by an extra 10% payout of restrictedcredits) for using a player tracking or loyalty system.

As noted, the Cash Out thread 406 may be invoked at any point before orbetween games, such as by the player pushing a cash out button on thegaming machine. Determination of whether a cash out has been requestedis made at 440. If so, cash out may occur in a variety of ways. Forrestricted credits, a ticket or voucher may be printed by the machinewith the amount of credits in the machine at the time at 442. Toaccomplish this, a memory storing logic may cause the master gamingcontroller (or other intelligent device) to award a voucher with wins ofrestricted credit to the player based on the game outcome. The vouchermay be dispensed via an output mechanism designed or configured to storerestricted credit winning information to a restricted credit instrument.Alternatively, where the player is registered with the system there maybe a cash out (via EFT) to the gaming machine system with the restrictedcredits going into the players restricted credit account. Similarly,where the credits in the machine include cashable credits, they may becashed out by printing to a ticket or voucher, to the system or by adispensation of cash from the hopper, at 444. The machine may also printvouchers that represent more than one type of credit (e.g., restrictedand cashable) on the same instrument. A single cash out operation maydirect restricted and cashable credits to different output devices(e.g., restricted to printer to generate a voucher and cashable tohopper to dispense cash. Of course, other cash-out devices, as are knownin the art, may also be used. It should also be understood that theinvention may be implemented on a machine with no cash out deviceswhere, for example, wins are provided in the form of restricted creditvouchers.

Restricted credit wins may be awarded according to the same or adifferent pay table as cashable credits on the same machine or at thesame gaming property. Where separate pay tables are used for restrictedand cashable credits, the invention may be implemented with a machinethat pays restricted credits according to an evaluation mechanismassociated with one fixed internal pay table and cashable creditsaccording to another fixed internal pay table. Alternatively, a machinemay pay restricted credit wins according to an external pay tableprovided by a host system to which the machine is connected having anevaluation mechanism that pays wins based on other factors, such asoverall winning percentage at all machines on a system, player loyalty,chance bonus, loss streak, close, or other host system direction (i.e.,the host system determines the game outcome and passes the result to themachine).

In one embodiment of the present invention, wins may be paid outaccording to a pay table or tables capable of paying out differentamounts of credits depending on if paid in cashable or restrictedcredits. That is, for example, wins may be determined according to adifferent payout schedule where they are paid out in restricted credits(all or in part) rather than cashable credits. So, for example, a paytable with different winning odds may be used for awarding wins ofrestricted credits. Or restricted credit may be awarded from a subset ofwin categories (e.g., having higher odds) of a given pay table also usedto award cashable wins (e.g., award cashable credits for wins for royalflush, but restricted credits for wins for a pair). The latter may havethe effect of giving better odds while reducing the chance of earlierplayer cash outs. The restricted credit win pay schedule may give theplayer higher odds of winning, since according to the statisticalaverages used to compute pay tables, the amount of cashable creditsultimately likely to be won from wagers of restricted credits are lessthan the equivalent cash value of the restricted credits. In this way,the invention allows for pay schedules that can return a higherpercentage to the player (where the wins include at least in partrestricted credits), thereby encouraging further play, withoutincreasing the financial liability for the gaming machine operator.

Some further examples of ways in which restricted wins may be paid outin accordance with this invention include paying a percentage cashablewins as extra wins of restricted credit, consolation prizes for extendedlosses, particular win categories, rewards for player loyalty orduration of play, progressive awards, or system-wide bonuses.

The preceding contemplates a gaming machine which accepts both cashableand restricted credits. In another embodiment, the invention may beimplemented with a machine that accepts and pays only restricted creditaccording to a single, fixed internal payout schedule (“pay table”). Forexample, such a machine might be in a “learners” area of a casino thatallows for a player to practice on a particular machine at higher oddsfor restricted credit before playing on machine offering the chance ofcashable wins, but at lower odds. Again, for the same reasons notedabove, the odds of winning on such a machine could be higher than onother machines in the casino paying only cashable wins withoutincreasing the financial liability of the casino owner.

CONCLUSION

The present invention provides a gaming system and method capable ofproviding wins of restricted credits. Among the advantages of thepresent invention are that it facilitates the awarding of restrictedcredits which are known to encourage further play. In someimplementations, it also allows for pay schedules that can return ahigher percentage to the player, thereby encouraging further play,without increasing the financial liability for the gaming machineoperator. Also, in some implementations, the gaming machine internallyaccounts for different credit types so that the invention allows agaming machine operator to obtain the benefits of offering restrictedcredits whether or not the gaming machine is connected to a host system(capable of EFT).

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail forpurposes of clarity of understanding, it will be apparent that certainchanges and modifications may be practiced within the scope of theappended claims. It should be noted that there are many alternative waysof implementing both the method and apparatus of the present invention.For instance, while the gaming machines of this invention have beendepicted as having top box mounted on top of the main gaming machinecabinet, the use of gaming devices in accordance with this invention isnot so limited. Various alternative embodiments of the present inventionmay be practiced with stand-alone gaming machines or gaming machineslinked by a host system. Also, restricted credits might also be awardedas a result of playing in a slot or video poker tournament. Accordingly,the present embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and notrestrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details givenherein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalents of theappended claims.

1. A gaming system, comprising: a gaming machine, said gaming machinecomprising: a master gaming controller designed or configured to i)control a game of chance played on the gaming machine, ii) distinguishbetween two types of credits, cashable credits and restricted credits,iii) issue a first cashless instrument storing information regardingfirst amounts of one or more of the cashable credits, the restrictedcredits or combinations thereof, iv) receive a second cashlessinstrument storing information regarding second amounts of one or morethe cashable credits, the restricted or the combinations thereof, and v)communicate information regarding the first cashless instrument or thesecond cashless instrument to a host device; wherein said game of chancecomprises: a) receiving a wager, comprising an amount of at least one ofthe restricted credits, the cashable credits or the combinationsthereof, on a game outcome for the game of chance wherein a face valueof the cashable credits and the restricted credits are equal to oneanother for determining the amount of the wager, said cashable creditscashable at the face value and said restricted credits cashable at lessthan the face value, b) determining the game outcome for the game ofchance, c) determining an award corresponding to the game outcome usinga pay table that specifies the award for each possible game outcome forthe game of chance wherein at least one award is an amount of therestricted credits and d) displaying the game outcome for the game ofchance and the determined award corresponding to the game outcomewherein awarded restricted credits are stored on the gaming machine andavailable for wagers on subsequent games of chance until cashed out; adisplay device for displaying the game outcome of the game of chance; anoutput mechanism operable to issue the first cashless instrument; aninput mechanism operable to receive the second cashless instrument afirst communication interface for allowing the master gaining controllerto communicate with the host device; the host device comprising aprocessor operable to 1) communicate with a plurality of gaming machinesincluding the gaming machine, 2) receive information regarding the firstcashless instrument or the second cashless instrument from the gamingmachine and 3) store information regarding the first cashless instrumentor the second cashless instrument to a memory device; the memory deviceoperable to store the information regarding the first cashlessinstrument or the second cashless instrument; a second communicationinterface for communicating with the plurality of gaming machinesincluding the gaming machine.
 2. The gaming system of claim 1, whereinthe second cashless instrument is issued at a first gaming machine inthe plurality of gaming machines.
 3. The gaming system of claim 2,wherein the second cashless instrument includes at least informationregarding a first amount of restricted credits awarded at the firstgaming machine.
 4. The gaming system of claim 2, wherein the mastergaming controller is further designed or configured to receive theinformation regarding a first amount restricted credits stored on thesecond cashless instrument and to make the first amount of restrictedcredits available for the wager on the game outcome for the game ofchance.
 5. The gaming system of claim 4, wherein, prior to making thefirst amount of restricted credits available for the wager, the mastergaming controller is further designed or configured to receive avalidation of the second cashless instrument from the host device. 6.The gaming system of claim 1, wherein odds of awarding the creditsincluding the cashable credits or the restricted credits are determinedby a first paytable and wherein the gaming machine is operable toincrease the of odds of awarding the credits by modifying the firstpaytable or utilizing a second paytable such that odds of awarding therestricted credit are increased.
 7. The gaming system of claim 6,wherein the odds are increased in response to receive a command from aremote gaming device.
 8. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein themaster gaming controller is further designed or configured to receiveinformation indicating a cashout request and in response to the cashoutrequest, issue the first cashless instrument storing informationregarding first amounts of one or more of the cashable credits, therestricted credits or combinations thereof.
 9. The gaming system ofclaim 8, wherein the master gaming controller, prior to issuing thefirst cashless instrument is farther designed or configured to sendfirst information to be stored on the first cashless instrument to thehost device and to receive additional information to be stored on thefirst cashless instrument from the host device.
 10. The gaming system ofclaim 1, wherein the master gaming controller is further designed orconfigured to issue the first cashless instrument storing informationregarding first restricted credits awarded on the gaming machine. 11.The gaming system of claim 10, wherein the first cashless instrument isredeemable for game play on the plurality of gaming machines.
 12. Thegaming system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of gaming machines arelocated at different gaming properties.
 13. The gaming system of claim1, wherein the master gaming controller, prior to issuing the firstcashless instrument, is further designed or configured to display aninterface for allowing a first amount of restricted credits stored onthe gaming machine to be converted into at least one other medium ofexchange.
 14. The gaming system of claim 13, wherein the medium ofexchange is a first amount of cashable credits.
 15. The gaming system ofclaim 13, wherein the medium of exchange is merchandise.
 16. The gamingsystem of claim 1, wherein the first cashless instrument or the secondcashless instrument is a printed ticket.
 17. The gaming system of claim1, wherein the output mechanism is a printer.
 18. The gaming system ofclaim 1, wherein the input mechanism is a bill validator.
 19. The gamingsystem of claim 1, wherein the input mechanism is a card reader.
 20. Thegaming system of claim 1, wherein the first communication interface is acomponent of a player tracking unit coupled to the gaming machine. 21.The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the cashable credits and therestricted credits are displayed on the gaming machine.
 22. The gainingsystem of claim 21, wherein a first amount of cashable credits isdisplayed separately from a second amount of restricted credits.
 23. Thegaming system of 1, wherein the restricted credits are non-cashable. 24.The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the master gaming controller isfurther designed or configured to award the wins of restricted creditsto a player based upon one or more of a percentage of cashable wins, anamount lost, a duration of play, a progressive award, a system-widebonus, an amount wagered, a winning streak, a losing streak, a hostsystem input and a near miss.
 25. The gaming system of claim 1, whereinthe gaming machine is further designed or configured to pay outdifferent amounts of credit for a given win depending on if paid in saidcashable credits or said restricted credits.
 26. The gaming system ofclaim 1, wherein said gaming machine is designed or configured toprovide wins of only the restricted credits.